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General News

7 February, 2021

Ready for work program to kick off

With last year’s school leavers looking for jobs, The Mareeba PCYC has announced the next dates for their Ready for Work Program.

By Phil Brandel

Raynor Elu at her marching out parade at HMAS Cairns and Mary-Anne West from the Mareeba PCYC
Raynor Elu at her marching out parade at HMAS Cairns and Mary-Anne West from the Mareeba PCYC

With last year’s school leavers looking for jobs, The Mareeba PCYC has announced the next dates for their Ready for Work Program.

The program is for anyone under the age of 24 who needs help brushing up on their interview skills or is having trouble landing a job.

The free two-week course will cover everything from how to write a resume, interview skills, job applications, how to get a tax file number and even how to dress for an interview.

PCYC Mareeba Manager Mary-Anne West said the course is free for anyone aged between 15 to 24.

“It’s only 2 weeks long and runs from 9am to 2pm Monday to Friday. It covers a wide range of topics including interview skills, dressing for an interview, working as part of team, money, tax file numbers, cover letters, research, applications and communication skills,” she said.

“Its completely free and we include snacks and lunch.”

Mary-Anne said interested people need to enrol by February 12 because the next course starts on the 15th.

“This is great for anyone who just finished school as a lot of young people don’t have those interview or resume skills,” she said.

“We also help people build their resume even if they don’t have work experience, they may have volunteering or relevant school experience.

“Some people have a resume, but it may just need a bit of polishing.”

“At the end they get three copies of their printed resume and a USB with their resume on it to take home.”

Raynor Elu is one of the success stories from past ready to work programs.  

Ms Elu was first introduced to the PCYC Mareeba club in 2014 when she began attending the Pulse Café, the club’s weekly drop-in youth centre. 

In 2015, Ms Elu had to drop out of high school and move away from home, and soon experienced difficulties settling into a new life.  

“In 2017, I moved back to Mareeba. I then spent the next two years trying to find a job, but I had lost all motivation,” she said.

“My partner and I both signed up for the 2-week course at PCYC Mareeba. We attended every day in the hope that it would lead to something, as we were both out of options.”

After completing the Ready for Work course, Ms Elu completed her application to the Royal Australian Navy with support from PCYC Mareeba’s Youth Support Officers.

In August 2019 Ms Elu flew to HMAS CERBERUS – Victoria to begin the five-month course and by December 2019 was one of the eighteen recruits to successfully graduate.

“The graduation ceremony at HMAS Cairns was surreal,” said Ms Elu.

Since completing the Navy Indigenous Development Program, Ms Elu has been offered a four-year contract with the Royal Australian Navy.

“Returning to PCYC Mareeba and participating in the Ready for Work program was one of the best decisions of my life. It taught me to be a better person and provided me with the skills and knowledge I will use throughout the rest of my life.”    

“I am grateful for the program and the staff at the club for their support. They helped me find my dream career and it has completely changed my life.”  

For more details call the Mareeba PCYC on 4092 4231

 


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